By Daniel Otera
The Federal Government’s recent approval of a ₦712 billion budget for the renovation of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos has triggered a firestorm of criticism from Nigerians across the political divide and on social media, who decry the move as a tone-deaf expenditure in the face of widespread hardship and economic distress.
Last week, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), chaired by President Bola Tinubu, approved the massive sum following a presentation by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
According to Keyamo, the funds will be used to reconstruct the ageing Terminal One and expand the newer Terminal Two a project the minister says is aimed at modernizing Nigeria’s busiest airport and correcting long-standing design flaws.
But for many Nigerians, the timing and scale of the project raise far more questions than answers.
“When not all Nigerians have access to clean drinking water, this is a monumental waste of resources,” wrote @ansem_edet on X (formerly Twitter).
Another user, @qroniqles, pointedly remarked:
“When you provide beautiful infrastructures in a land filled with hungry citizens… hunger will swallow the infrastructure. Food security is more important than these buildings.”
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) was quick to condemn the project. In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary on Sunday, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party labeled the expenditure as “fiscal recklessness” and a clear indication of how disconnected the current administration is from the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.
“It is hard to understand how spending ₦712 billion on renovating an airport that has already received significant upgrades in recent years makes fiscal sense,” the party said.
“This same Murtala Muhammed Airport had a new international terminal commissioned just two years ago in 2022. That facility included 66 check-in counters, jet bridges, duty-free areas, and even a 22-room hotel. So, what exactly is being renovated?”
According to the ADC, available data shows that the Lagos airport handled only 6.5 million passengers in 2024, less than half its capacity. The party questioned whether the project had National Assembly backing and criticized what it called an “unauthorized expenditure.”
“We demand to know under what constitutional provision this money is being spent,” the ADC stated.
“₦712 billion could build seven teaching hospitals, rehabilitate thousands of kilometres of roads, or fund free education in multiple states.”
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) also weighed in. Its National Secretary, Peter Ameh, said in a viral video that the renovation was “misguided and elitist” at a time when the healthcare sector is crumbling and unemployment is on the rise.
“About 65% of Nigerians live in multi-dimensional poverty,” said Ameh.
“We’re putting billions into a terminal that benefits only the elite, while nurses are leaving the country and hospitals lack basic equipment.”
Ameh also accused the government of bypassing the legislative process:
“That figure did not pass through the National Assembly. This violates the spirit if not the letter of the Constitution.”
The criticism didn’t end with politicians. On social media, users took issue with the lack of transparency behind the project.
“Thanks for the partial explanation,” wrote @OoTheNigerians, addressing Minister Keyamo. “But you forgot to mention:What process was used to arrive at ₦712 billion?Who is the contractor? Was there a public procurement process? What’s the duration and scope of work?”
Some called for audits, others for outright cancellation.
“Is this the best you can think of when people are starving?” asked @EzehUchenna2. “No matter how good the intention, this isn’t what the country needs right now.”
Still, not all feedback was negative. A few voices welcomed the overhaul, calling it overdue.“The renovation is long overdue. Thank you, Minister,” wrote @poloM77. “But can you do something about the multiple unnecessary checks at the airport?”
In a statement on his verified X handle, Minister Keyamo defended the project, saying it will “completely strip down and rebuild” Terminal One, which was originally built in 1979 and now suffers from structural decay.
He emphasized that the new plan includes ring roads, expanded aprons, and bridges to improve passenger flow.
Crucially, Keyamo noted that the renovation will be funded through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, created from savings made after fuel subsidy removal, not through loans.
“This project is critical to positioning Lagos as a regional aviation hub. We are not borrowing for it,” he wrote.
But for many Nigerians, the economic reality on the ground continues to outweigh lofty infrastructure plans.
“Hunger is real,” repeated @qroniqles. “No terminal can hide that.”.
